Fiber optic furcation assemblies, methods, and systems

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic furcation assembly includes a main fiber optic cable structure, a plurality of furcation tubes, and a housing with a cavity including a transition portion. A plurality of optical fibers each continuously and uninterruptedly extends through an end portion of a jacket of the main fiber optic cable structure, the transition portion of the cavity of the housing, and a respective one of the plurality of furcation tubes. In one embodiment, the cavity includes a securing portion including a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions defines a plurality of locating channels and at least one securing channel that intersects the locating channels. Bonding material is positioned within the securing channel and bonds the plurality of furcation tubes to the plurality of protrusions. In another embodiment, a cable mount includes a housing attachment, a cable jacket attachment, and a passage. The housing attachment is mounted within a port of the housing. Each optical fiber also extends through the passage of the cable mount, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/21,580, filed Mar. 15, 2021; which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/463,308, filed on May 22, 2019, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,948,677; which is a National Stage Patent Application ofPCT/US2017/063073, filed on Nov. 22, 2017; which claims the benefit ofU.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/425,925, filed on Nov. 23, 2016; thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made toeach of the above disclosed applications.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to cable fan-out assemblies, cablebreak-out assemblies, cable furcation assemblies, etc.

BACKGROUND

Fiber optic cable is available for use in many physical environments andin many physical variations. For example, when routing a fiber opticcable between data centers, it may be desirable to include many opticalfibers within the same fiber optic cable. Certain fiber optic cables mayinclude 288 individual optical fibers. Other fiber optic cables mayinclude 192 or 144 optical fibers within the fiber optic cable. Byincluding a large number of optical fibers within the fiber optic cable,many channels of fiber optic communication may be economicallytransmitted by the same fiber optic cable.

Upon the fiber optic cable reaching a data center, it may be desirableto distribute the optical fibers within the fiber optic cable to variouspoints within the data center. For example, it may be desirable todistribute the 288 optical fibers in groups of 24 optical fibers. Thefiber optic cable with 288 optical fibers may therefore be split up into12 groups of 24 optical fibers each. To accommodate distributing theoptical fibers, the fiber optic cable may include 12 tubes that eachcarry 24 optical fibers.

As fiber optic cables may carry tensile loads and/or encounterenvironmental hazards, an outer jacket is typically extruded over theoptical fibers within the fiber optic cable to protect the opticalfibers from such conditions. The fiber optic cable may also includestrength members to carry tensile loads along the fiber optic cable andthereby shield the optical fibers from tensile loads. The strengthmembers may be positioned within the outer jacket of the fiber opticcable. When breaking out or fanning out groups of optical fibers from afiber optic cable, the cable jacket and/or the strength members may besecured to a break out housing assembly or a furcation housing assembly.The optical fibers may exit the jacket of the fiber optic cable andenter the break out housing assembly or the furcation housing assemblyfor distribution in a plurality of smaller fiber optic cables. Thesmaller fiber optic cables may also include jackets and/or strengthmembers secured to the break out housing assembly or furcation housingassembly and thereby form a continuous protective enclosure for theoptical fibers to be routed through as they transition from a singlelarge fiber optic cable to a plurality of smaller fiber optic cables.The break out housing assembly or the furcation housing assembly mayfurther transmit tensile loads between the single large fiber opticcable and the plurality of small fiber optic cables.

It may be desired to route the optical fibers from the single largecable to the plurality of small cables without splicing or otherinterruptions or connections along the optical fibers. The presentdisclosure addresses obstacles faced when distributing optical fibersfrom a single larger fiber optic cable to a plurality of smaller fiberoptic cables and/or a plurality of individually buffered optical fibers,especially when the optical fibers are continuous and uninterrupted fromthe single larger fiber optic cable to the plurality of smaller fiberoptic cables or the plurality of individually buffered optical fibers.

SUMMARY

According to the principles of the present disclosure, a family ofmodular fan-out building blocks may be assembled to provide a fan-outfrom a single large fiber optic cable to a plurality of smaller fiberoptic cables or individually buffered optical fibers. Support isprovided for a wide variety of connector types to terminate the fiberoptic cables. A wide variety of panels may be serviced by the fiberoptic cables. The furcation assembly does not require over-molding anddoes not require the use of epoxy.

The modular design allows for connection between the large fiber opticcable and the plurality of smaller fiber optic cables via a furcationhousing that is compact, easy to assemble, and useable with a widevariety of panels. The modular design thereby provides a cost savings inproducing such fan-out products.

According to the principles of the present disclosure, cables includingmicro-tubes and/or micro-tube cable structures are compatible with themodular design of the fan-out building blocks. Micro-tube cables and/ormicro-tube cable structures may be smaller in size (e.g., outsidediameter) than other cables and/or cable structures.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a readingof the following detailed description and a review of the associateddrawings. It is to be understood that both the forgoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the broad aspects of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a furcation assembly according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG.1 ;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG. 1with a cover of a housing of the furcation assembly removed;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a base of the housing of the furcation assemblyof FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG. 1with the cover, optical fibers, and other cable components removed;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spacer adapted for use with thefurcation assembly of FIG. 1 , according to the principles of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG. 1further illustrating the spacer of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG. 1 , butwithout the plurality of optical fibers or related cable componentsexiting the housing of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another furcation assembly according tothe principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 16 ;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 16 ;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG.16 , but with a cover of a housing of the furcation assembly removed;

FIG. 22 is a partial plan view of a base of the housing of the furcationassembly of FIG. 16 ;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional plan view of a cable anchor for use withvarious furcation assemblies, according to the principles of the presentdisclosure, shown with a portion of the base of FIG. 22 , a plurality ofoptical fibers, a tube around the optical fibers, a jacket around thetube, a crimp sleeve, and a strain-relief sleeve;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 16 ;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 24 ;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of still another furcation assemblyaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 26 ;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 27 ;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 26 ;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 29 ;

FIG. 31 is a partial perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG.26 , but with a cover of a housing of the furcation assembly removed;

FIG. 32 is a plan view of a base of the housing of the furcationassembly of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of yet another furcation assemblyaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 33 ;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 34 ;

FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 33 ;

FIG. 37 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 38 is a partial perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG.33 , but with a cover of a housing of the furcation assembly removed;

FIG. 39 is another partial perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 33 , but with the cover of the housing removed;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the cable anchor of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 41 is another perspective view of the cable anchor of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 42 is a plan view of the cable anchor of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 43 is an end view of the cable anchor of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a plug suitable for use in ports ofvarious furcation assemblies, according to the principles of the presentdisclosure, in lieu of the cable anchor of FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 45 is a plan view of the plug of FIG. 44 ;

FIG. 46 is an end view of the plug of FIG. 44 ;

FIG. 47 is a plan view of a base of the housing of the furcationassembly of FIG. 33 ;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of still another furcation assemblyaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 49 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 48 ;

FIG. 50 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 49 ;

FIG. 51 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 48 ;

FIG. 52 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 51 ;

FIG. 53 is a partial perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG.48 , but with a cover of a housing of the furcation assembly removed;

FIG. 54 is the partial perspective view of FIG. 53 , but with a glueapplied, according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 55 is a plan view of a base of the housing of the furcationassembly of FIG. 48 ;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of yet another furcation assemblyaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 57 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 56 ;

FIG. 58 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 57 ;

FIG. 59 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 56 ;

FIG. 60 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 59 ;

FIG. 61 is a partial perspective view of the furcation assembly of FIG.56 , but with a cover of a housing of the furcation assembly removed;

FIG. 62 is another partial perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 56 , but with the cover of the housing removed;

FIG. 63 is an exploded perspective view of the furcation assembly ofFIG. 56 ; and

FIG. 64 is a plan view of a base of the housing of the furcationassembly of FIG. 56 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a family of furcation assemblies foruse in distributing optical fibers from a trunk cable to a plurality offurcation cables. Six example embodiments are described and illustratedherein. It is understood that various features and combinations offeatures may be arranged to derive additional furcation assemblies. Inparticular, a furcation assembly 100 is illustrated at FIGS. 1-15 , afurcation assembly 200 is illustrated at FIGS. 16-25 , a furcationassembly 300 is illustrated at FIGS. 26-32 , a furcation assembly 400 isillustrated at FIGS. 33-39 and 47 , a furcation assembly 500 isillustrated at FIGS. 48-55 , and a furcation assembly 600 is illustratedat FIGS. 56-64 .

The furcation assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 feature modularconstruction that facilitates constructing 8-fold to 288-fold cableassemblies. The furcation assemblies support virtually all connectortypes and all panels. The furcation assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,600 are compact and smaller than equivalent prior art furcationassemblies. In addition, over-molding is not required in assembling thefurcation assemblies. No epoxy is needed in assembling the furcationassemblies. Micro-tube cables and/or micro-tube cable structures, withsmaller cable and/or cable structure dimensions, may be used with thefurcation assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. As will be describedin detail hereinafter, the furcation assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,600 are easy to assemble, include a modular design, and provide simpleinstallation. Significant cost savings are expected in the use of thefurcation assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 compared to variousprior art furcation assemblies that are similar in capacity andfunction.

As will be further described hereinafter, the furcation assemblies 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600 provide for drop-in assembly techniques whenbuilding up the furcation assembly. In particular, as illustrated atFIGS. 1 and 13 , the furcation assembly 100 includes a housing 110 thatdefines an axial direction A1, a transverse direction T1, and a lateraldirection L1. Likewise, the furcation assembly 200 includes a housing210 that defines an axial direction A2, a transverse direction T2, and alateral direction L2, as illustrated at FIG. 16 . Similarly, thefurcation assembly 300 includes a housing 310 that defines an axialdirection A3, a transverse direction T3, and a lateral direction L3, asillustrated at FIG. 26 . Likewise, the furcation assembly 400 includes ahousing 410 that defines an axial direction A4 and a lateral directionL4, as illustrated at FIG. 33 , and further defines a transversedirection T4, as illustrated at FIG. 35 . Likewise, the furcationassembly 500 includes a housing 510 that defines an axial direction A5and a lateral direction L5, as illustrated at FIG. 48 , and furtherdefines a transverse direction T5, as illustrated at FIG. 50 .Similarly, the furcation assembly 600 includes a housing assembly 610that defines an axial direction A6 and a lateral direction L6, asillustrated at FIG. 56 , and further defines a transverse direction T6,as illustrated at FIG. 58 . The axial directions A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6are parallel to or substantially parallel to or generally parallel to aplurality of optical fibers 10 that are carried by the respectivefurcation assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, when laid straightwithout substantial bending of the optical fibers 10. It is appreciatedthat local curvature and bending of the optical fibers 10 occurs along atransition portion 17 within the housings 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610as the optical fibers 10 are distributed. Nonetheless, portions of theoptical fibers 10, when laid straight outside of the housings 110, 210,310, 410, 510, 610, define an axial direction that is parallel orsubstantially parallel to the axial directions A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6,defined by the housings 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, respectively. Thetransverse directions T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 are perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to the respective axial directions A1, A2,A3, A4, A5, A6. The lateral directions L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6 areperpendicular or substantially perpendicular to both the respectiveaxial directions A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and the respective transversedirections T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6.

As illustrated at FIG. 1 , the furcation assembly 100 includes aplurality of optical fibers 10 that extends between a first end 102 anda second end 104 of the furcation assembly 100. Each of the opticalfibers 10 extends between a first end 12 and a second end 14. Asillustrated at FIG. 13 , at the first end 102, the optical fibers 10 areenclosed within a single jacket 30. In particular, the optical fibers 10at the first end 102 are enclosed within a single jacket 30 ₁. Thejacket 30, 30 ₁ may be referred to as a main jacket and/or a cableportion of the furcation assembly 100 covered by the jacket 30, 30 ₁ maybe identified as a main cable portion. As also illustrated at FIG. 13 ,the optical fibers 10 of the furcation assembly 100 are eachindividually enclosed within a plurality of tubes 40 at the second end104 of the furcation assembly 100. In particular, the furcation tube 40of the furcation assembly 100 is illustrated as a furcation tube 40 ₁.As further illustrated at FIG. 13 , the plurality of furcation tubes 40may be identified by row and column positions with subscripts. Inparticular, the subscripts N and M may be used. As illustrated at FIG.13 , the furcation tube 40 ₁₋₆ refers to the furcation tube 40 at afirst row and a sixth column. In general, furcation tubes 40 _(N-M)refers to the furcation tube 40 at the Nth row and the Mth column.

To assemble the furcation assembly 100, jacket 30 ₁ and the plurality offurcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 _(N-M) may be previously assembled and/orpreassembled over the plurality of optical fibres 10 in a sub-assembly100 s (see FIG. 13 ). The plurality of optical fibers 10 extendcontinuously through the furcation assembly 100 and sub-assembly 100 s.

As illustrated at FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 13 , the jacket 30 ₁ and theplurality of furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 _(N-M) are shown with lengthsthat are within the same order of magnitude of a length of the housing110. However, in many installations, the jacket 30 ₁ and/or thefurcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 _(N-M) may be several orders of magnitudelonger than the length of the housing 110.

To accommodate assembly of the plurality of optical fibers 10, theplurality of furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 _(N-M), and the jacket 30 ₁(i.e., the sub-assembly 100 s) into the housing 110, the housing 110 mayinclude a main body 120 with a removable cover 150. As illustrated atFIGS. 6 and 13 , the main body 120 includes a transition cavity 130 thatopens in the transverse direction T1. In addition, the main body 120defines a drop-in channel 160, as illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 13 , and aplurality of longitudinal channels 146, as illustrated at FIGS. 7 and 13. The longitudinal channels 146 and the drop-in channel 160 also open inthe transverse direction T1.

As illustrated at FIG. 1 , the housing 110 extends between a first end112 and a second end 114. As illustrated, the main body 120 of thehousing 110 also extends between the first end 112 and the second end114. As illustrated at FIG. 3 , the main body 120 includes a first endportion 122 adjacent the first end 112 and further includes a second endportion 124 adjacent the second end 114. The transition cavity 130 ofthe main body 120 is positioned between the first end portion 122 andthe second end portion 124. The axial direction Al extends through thefirst end portion 122, the transition cavity 130, and the second endportion 124 of the main body 120. The main body 120 of the housing 110opens in the transverse direction T1 along its length from the first end112 to the second end 114.

As illustrated at FIGS. 5, 6, and 13 , the optical fibers 10 with thejacket 30 ₁ and the plurality of furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 _(N-M)preinstalled (i.e., the sub-assembly 100 s) may be dropped into the mainbody 120 of the housing 110 along the transverse direction T1. Asillustrated at FIGS. 5 and 13 , additional components may be installedwith the plurality of optical fibers 10, the plurality of furcationtubes 40 ₁, and the jacket 30 ₁ (i.e., the sub-assembly 100 s mayinclude additional components). In particular, a tube 20 may beinstalled around the plurality of optical fibers 10 and within thejacket 30 ₁. As depicted, the tube 20 is further identified as the tube20 ₁. An anchor 700 may be installed over the tube 20 ₁ and may attachto the drop-in channel 160 of the main body 120 of the housing 110. Theanchor 700 may be secured to the jacket 30 ₁ by a crimp sleeve 80, asillustrated at FIG. 23 . As illustrated at FIG. 2 , one or more strengthmembers 60A₁ may be included within the jacket 30 ₁ and may be crimpedto the anchor 700 by the crimp sleeve 80. The anchor 700 may be securedto the strength members 60A₁ and/or the jacket 30 ₁ prior to assembly tothe main body 120 (i.e., in the sub-assembly 100 s). As illustrated atFIG. 6 , a lateral channel 148 is defined in the main body 120 of thehousing 110. Upon positioning of the plurality of furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁to 40 _(N-M), glue 90 may be applied to the lateral channel 148 andthereby bond the plurality of furcation tubes 401 ₁₋₁ to 40 _(N-M) tothe main body 120 of the housing 110. The glue 90 can be of a variety ofdifferent bonding materials or adhesives such as epoxies or the like.Upon installation of the plurality of optical fibers 10, the anchor 700,and the plurality of furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 _(N-M) (i.e., thesub-assembly 100 s), the cover 150 may be installed to the main body 120and thereby complete assembly of the housing 110. As depicted, the cover150 may be installed to the main body 120 along the transverse directionT1.

As described above with respect to the furcation assembly 100, thefurcation assembly 200 and the furcation assembly 500 may be similarlyassembled with drop-in assembly methods that move a plurality of opticalfibers 10 along the transverse directions T2 and T5, respectively, intoa main body 220 of the housing 210 and a main body 520 of the housing510, respectively.

A main body 320 of the housing 310 of the furcation assembly 300 is notentirely open in the transverse direction T3. Likewise, a main body 420of the housing 410 of the furcation assembly 400 is not entirely openalong the transverse direction T4. Likewise, a main body 620 of thehousing 610 of the furcation assembly 600 is not entirely open in thetransverse direction T6. However, as illustrated at FIG. 30 , a firstend portion of 322 of the main body 320 is open along the transversedirection T3. Likewise, a transition cavity 330 of the main body 320 isalso open in the transverse direction T3. As illustrated at FIGS. 35,36, and 38 , a first end portion 422 and a transition cavity 430 of themain body 420 of the housing 410 of the furcation assembly 400 are openalong the transverse direction T4. Likewise, as illustrated at FIG. 58 ,a transition cavity 630 and a first end portion 622 of the main body 620of the housing 610 of the furcation assembly 600 are open along thetransverse direction T6.

As the first end portions 322, 422, 622 and the transition cavities 330,430, 630 of the main bodies 320, 420, 620 are open along the transversedirections T3, T4, T6, a trunk portion 16 and the transition portion 17of the plurality of optical fibers 10 may be dropped into the mainbodies 320, 420, 620 of the housings 310, 410, 610, respectively, alongthe transverse directions T3, T4, T6. A furcated portion 18 of theplurality of optical fibers 10 may be fed through ports 340, 440, 640 ofthe main bodies 320, 420, 620 of the housings 310, 410, 610,respectively, along the axial directions A3, A4, A6 (see FIGS. 56, 59,and 60 ). The feeding of the furcated portions 18 through the ports 340,440, 640 may be started before the dropping of the trunk portion 16 andthe transition portion 17 of the plurality of optical fibers 10 into thefirst end portions 322, 422, 622 and the transition cavities 330, 430,630 of the main bodies 320, 420, 620.

Additional details of the furcation assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,600 and additional components adapted for use therein will now bedescribed according to the principles of the present disclosure. Forconvenience, the furcation assemblies 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 maybe collectively referred to herein as furcation assemblies 1000.

As mentioned above, a plurality of optical fibers 10 extend through thefurcation assemblies 1000 and may be continuous without interruptionfrom the first end 12 to the second end 14 of each of the optical fibers10. As illustrated at FIGS. 1, 13, 16, 26, 33, 48, and 56 , the opticalfibers 10 include a trunk portion 16 at first ends 102, 202, 302, 402,502, 602 of the furcation assemblies 1000. The trunk portion 16 extendsto and partially within the housings 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 of thefurcation assemblies 1000. The trunk portions 16 may extend to otherfurcation housings rather than being terminated along the trunk portion16, as is illustrated at the figures. Thus, the trunk portion 16 may befurcated on each end with furcation housings opposite each other alongthe trunk portion 16. The furcation housings may be the same or similaror may be different at opposite ends of the trunk portion 16. Thefurcation housings may include the housings 110, 210, 310, 410, 510,610. The trunk portion 16 may enter the housings 110, 210, 310, 410,510, 610 through a first opening 116, 216, 316, 416, 516, 616 at firstends 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612, respectively.

The trunk portion 16 of each of the plurality of optical fibers 10 maycontinuously continue to the transition portion 17 of each respectiveoptical fiber 10. At FIGS. 6, 21, 31, 38, 53, and 61 , only a single oneof the optical fibers 10 is illustrated as including the transitionportion 17. In practice, all of the optical fibers 10 may include atransition portion 17, and single optical fibers 10 or no optical fibers10 shown in the transition portions 17 reduce drawing clutter forpurposes of illustration. FIG. 13 illustrates a plurality, but not all,of the optical fibers 10 including a transition portion 17. Again, thetransition portions 17 were not shown to reduce drawing clutter.

The optical fibers 10 may be bend insensitive optical fibers to permitrelatively small radii along the transition portions 17 of the opticalfiber 10. However, the furcation assemblies 1000 are adapted to routethe optical fibers 10 without exceeding minimum bend radius limitations.The transition portions 17 of the optical fibers 10 allow a courserpitch between the optical fibers 10 at the second end 104, 204, 304,404, 504, 604 of the furcation assemblies 1000 than a pitch between theoptical fibers 10 at the first end 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 of thefurcation assemblies 1000.

The transition portion 17 continues continuously and uninterrupted fromthe transition portion 17 to the furcated portion 18 of the opticalfiber 10. As illustrated, the furcated portion 18 terminates at thesecond end 14 of the optical fiber 10. The terminated second end 14 maybe connectorized, spliced, or otherwise joined to an optical component.In certain embodiments, the furcated portion 18 continues as a trunkportion and may further continue to another furcation housing. Thus, thefurcated portions 18 of the optical fibers 10 may include furcationhousings at each end of the furcated portion 18. The furcated portion 18may be further furcated thereby becoming the trunk portion as thefurcation assembly continues to branch and sub-branch.

The plurality of optical fibers 10 may be enclosed within a tube 20. Asillustrated, furcation assemblies 100, 200, 500 include the tube 20surrounding the trunk portion 16 of the optical fibers 10. Furcationassemblies 300, 400, and 600 include the tube 20 ₃, 20 ₄, and 206extending continuously through the furcation assemblies 300, 400, 600,respectively. As illustrated, the furcation assemblies 300, 400, 600 mayinclude a plurality of the tubes 20. Each of the tubes 20 may, in turn,include a plurality of optical fibers 10. The tubes 20 extend between afirst end 22 and a second end 24. In the furcation assemblies 100, 200,500, the tube 20 may terminate within the housing 110, 210, 510,respectively. In furcation assemblies 300, 400, 600, the second end 24of the tube 20 is positioned at the second end of 304, 404, 604 of thefurcation assemblies 300, 400, 600. In certain embodiments, the tubes 20extend through multiple furcation housings, analogously to the opticalfibers 10 extending through multiple furcation housings.

The tubes 20 include an exterior portion 26 that extends from the firstend 22 to the furcation housings 310, 410, 610 and continues as atransition portion 27 of the tube 20 within the housing 310, 410, 610.In furcation assemblies 100, 200, 500, the tube 20 may continue from thefirst end 22 to the second 24, with the second end 24 terminating beforethe housing 110, 210, 510 or with the second end 24 terminating withinthe housing 110, 210, 510. An interior portion 28 of the tube 20 maythereby be present within the furcation assemblies 1000. In furcationassemblies 300, 400, 600, the interior portion 28 of the tube 20 passesthrough the housing 310, 410, 610. In furcation assemblies 100, 200,500, the interior portion 28 may be terminated at the second end 24. Asthe tube 20 passes through the housings 310, 410, 610, it continuescontinuously and uninterrupted to an exterior portion 29 at the secondend 304, 404, 604 of the furcation assemblies 300, 400, 600.

The furcation assemblies 1000 may further include the jacket 30. Thejacket 30 may extend between a first end 32 and a second end 34. Thejacket 30 may include furcation housings at each end 32, 34 of thejacket 30. In the depicted embodiments, the jacket 30 terminates at thefirst end 32 without a furcation housing at the first end 32. In otherembodiments, the first end 32 may terminate at another furcationhousing. The second end 34 of the jacket 30 may terminate at either atrunk end or a furcated end of the additional furcation housing. In thedepicted embodiments, an exterior portion 36 of the jacket 30 extendsfrom the first end 32 to a connected portion 38 of the jacket 30. Theconnected portion 38 is mechanically connected to the furcation housings110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610. The mechanical connection may include astrain relief member 70A and/or the crimp sleeve 80. The jacket 30 maythereby be terminated at the second end 34 to the furcation housing 110,210, 310, 410, 510, 610.

The furcation assemblies 100, 200, 500 may include a plurality of thefurcation tubes 40. The furcation tubes 40 extend between a first end 42and a second end 44. The furcation tubes 40 include a connected portion46 and an exterior portion 48. The connected portion 46 is positionedwithin the furcation housings 110, 210, 510 and connected thereto. Theexterior portion 48 extends beyond the housing 110, 210, 510 and to thesecond end 104, 204, 504 of the furcation assemblies 100, 200, 500.

The furcation assemblies 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 may include a jacket50. The jacket 50 extends between a first end 52 and a second end 54.The jacket 50 may include a connected portion 56 and an exterior portion58. In furcation assemblies 200 and 500, the connected portion 56 of thejacket 50 is glued to the housing 210, 510. In furcation assemblies 300,400, 600, the connected portion 56 of the jacket 50 is crimped by thecrimp sleeve 80 to the anchor 700 and is thereby connected to thefurcation assembly 300, 400, 600.

The furcation assemblies 1000 may further include one or more strengthmembers 60. As illustrated at FIG. 2 , the furcation assembly 100 mayinclude a strength member 60A₁ that extends between a first end 62 and asecond end 64. As illustrated at FIG. 19 , the furcation assembly 200may include a strength member 60A₂ that extends between a first end 62and a second end 64. As illustrated at FIG. 26 , the furcation assembly300 may include a strength member 60A₃ that extends between a first end62 and a second end 64, as further illustrated at FIG. 28 . Asillustrated at FIG. 33 , the furcation assembly 400 includes a strengthmember 60A₄ that extends between a first end 62 and a second end 64. Asillustrated at FIG. 51 , the furcation assembly 500 includes a strengthmember 60A₅ that extends between a first end 62 and a second end 64. Asillustrated at FIG. 57 , the furcation assembly 600 includes a strengthmember 60A₆ that extends between a first end 62 and a second end 64.

As illustrated at FIG. 21 , the furcation assembly 200 includes astrength member 60B₂ that extends from a first end 66 to a second end.As illustrated at FIG. 27 , the furcation assembly 300 includes astrength member 60B₃ that extends between a first end 66 and a secondend 68. As illustrated at FIG. 34 , the furcation assembly 400 includesa strength member 60B₄ that extends between a first end 66 and a secondend 68. As illustrated at FIG. 53 , the furcation assembly 500 includesa strength member 56B₅ that extends from a first end 66 to a second end.As illustrated at FIG. 56 , the furcation assembly 600 includes astrength member 60B6 that extends from a first end 66 to a second end68.

The furcation assemblies 1000 may include strain relief members 70Aand/or 70B. In particular, as illustrated at FIG. 2 , the furcationassembly 110 includes a strain relief member 70A₁ that extends from afirst end 72 to a second end 74. As illustrated at FIG. 19 , thefurcation assembly 200 includes a strain relief member 70A₂ that extendsfrom a first end 72 to a second end 74. As illustrated at FIG. 33 , thefurcation assembly 400 includes a strain relief member 70A₄ that extendsfrom a first end 72 to a second end 74. As illustrated at FIG. 51 , thefurcation assembly 500 includes a strain relief member 70A₅ that extendsfrom a first end 72 to a second end 74. As illustrated at FIG. 57 , thefurcation assembly 600 includes a strain relief member 70A₆ that extendsfrom a first end 72 to a second end 74. The strain relief members 70Aprovide strain relief to the jacket 30 at its connection to the housing110, 210, 410, 510, 610. As illustrated at FIG. 23 , the strain reliefmember 70A may bridge a joint between the second end 34 of the jacket 30and a first end 702 of the anchor 700. The second end 74 of the strainrelief member 70A may be positioned over the crimp sleeve 80. Asillustrated at FIGS. 2 and 4 , the first end 72 of the strain reliefmember 70A may be positioned over the jacket 30 adjacent the second end34 of the jacket 30.

A strain relief member 70B may be included in the furcation assembles300, 400, 600. In particular, as illustrated at FIG. 26 , a strainrelief member 70B₃ extends between a first end 76 and a second end 78.As illustrated at FIG. 33 , a strain relief member 70B₄ extends betweena first end 76 and a second end 78. As illustrated at FIG. 63 , a strainrelief member 70B6 extends between a first end 76 and a second end 78.The strain relief member 70B may provide strain relief to the jacket 50adjacent the first end 52 of the jacket 50. In the depicted embodiment,the strain relief member 70B may be the same as or substantially thesame as the strain relief member 70A, except for the strain reliefmember 70A₆.

The furcation assemblies 300, 400, 600 may include a plurality of thestrain relief members 70B. In particular, the furcation assembly 300 isillustrated with four of the strain relief members 70B₃. The furcationassembly 400 is adapted to include two of the strain relief members70B₄. The furcation assembly 600 is illustrated at FIG. 63 with twelveof the strain relief members 70B6.

As illustrated at FIG. 23 , the furcation assemblies 1000 may includeone or more crimp sleeves 80 to secure the jacket 30 and/or the jacket50 to the furcation housing 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610. In connectionsbetween the jacket 30, 50 and the housing 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610that include the anchor 700, the crimp sleeve 80 is positioned over acable engaging portion 710 of the anchor 700. The strength members 60A,60B may be positioned between an interior 88 of the crimp sleeve 80 andthe cable engaging portion 710 of the anchor 700. The strain reliefmember 70A, 70B may be positioned about an outer circumference 86 of thecrimp sleeve 80. As illustrated at FIGS. 8 and 28 , the crimp sleeve 80may be formed into a polygonal shape upon crimping about the jacket 30or 50. In particular, the crimp sleeve 80 is illustrated as beingcrimped into a hexagonal shape. The crimp sleeve 80 may thereby includean anti-rotation feature 94 that engages the furcation housing eitherdirectly or indirectly.

The anti-rotation feature 94 of the outer circumference 86 of the crimpsleeve 80 may provide an anti-rotation connection between the housing310 and the cable 30. In particular, as illustrated at FIG. 28 , thedrop-in channel 360 of the main body 320 of the housing 310 includes apair of opposing protrusions 362 that engage opposite sides of theanti-rotation feature 94 of the crimp sleeve 80 directly. As illustratedat FIG. 32 , the crimp sleeve 80 extends between a first end 82 and asecond end 84. The jacket 30 is inserted into the first end 82 of thecrimp sleeve 80. The second end 34 of the jacket 30 may be further slidwithin the crimp sleeve 80 until the second end 34 abuts the first end702 of the anchor 700. The crimp sleeve 80 may be similarly used withthe jacket 50. Upon crimping the crimp sleeve 80 around the jacket 30,50, the crimp sleeve 80 provides structural support for the jacket 30adjacent the second end 34 of the jacket 30. Likewise, the jacket 50 ofthe furcation assembly 300, 400, 600 may be supported by the crimpsleeve 80.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-15 , the furcation assembly 100 will be describedin additional detail. As mentioned above, the furcation assembly 100includes a first end 102 and a second end 104. The first end 102 may beterminated at a connector or the first end 102 may continue on and joincontinuously with another furcation assembly. The second end 104 of thefurcation assembly 100 includes a plurality of furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to40 _(N-M), where N is the number of rows of the furcation tubes 40_(N-M) and M is the number of columns of the furcation tubes 40 _(N-M).As depicted, the furcation assembly 100 may accommodate up to sixcolumns of the furcation tubes 40 _(N-M) and may accommodate up to fourrows of the furcation tubes 40 _(N-M). In the depicted embodiment,strength members are not included at the second end 104 of the furcationassembly 100.

The furcation assembly 100 further extends between a first side 106 anda second side 107. The furcation assembly 100 further extends between athird side 108 and a fourth side 109. For convenience of description andin no way limiting the orientation of the furcation assembly 100, thefirst side 106 may be referred to as a top side, and the second side 107may be referred to as a bottom side. The third side 108 may be referredto as a right side, and the fourth side 109 may be referred to as a leftside. As mentioned above, the furcation assembly 100 includes a housing110. The housing 110 extends between a first end 112 and a second 114along the axial direction Al. The first side 106 may be spaced from thesecond side 106 along the transverse direction Tl. The third side 108may be spaced from the fourth side 109 along the lateral direction Ll.The housing 110 extends between the first end 112 and the second end 114along the axial direction A1. The first end 112 includes a first opening116, and the second end 114 includes a second opening 118. The first andsecond openings 116, 118 allow the plurality of optical fibers 10 topass through the housing 110.

The housing 110 includes a main body 120 and a cover 150. As illustratedat FIG. 13 , the cover 150 may be separated from the main body 120 byremoving along the transverse direction T1. Similarly, the cover 150 maybe installed over the main body 120 along the transverse direction T1.As depicted at FIGS. 2 and 13 , the cover 150 includes a plurality ofcover to main body engagement features 96. As depicted at FIG. 13 , themain body 120 includes a plurality of main body to cover engagementfeatures 98. In the depicted embodiment, certain of the cover to mainbody engagement features 96 are latches that engage catches positionedon the main body 120. In the depicted embodiment, certain of the mainbody to cover engagement features 98 are catches that engage latchespositioned on the cover 150.

As illustrated at FIG. 3 , the main body 120 includes a first endportion 122 and a second end portion 124. The first end portion 122 isdepicted adjacent the first end 112 of the housing 110. The second endportion 124 is depicted adjacent the second end 114 of the housing 110.As depicted at FIG. 6 , the main body 120 includes a wall 126 positionedat the second side 107 of the furcation assembly 110. As depicted, apair of opposing sides 128 extends perpendicularly away from the wall126. The sides 128 are thereby positioned adjacent the third and fourthsides 108, 109 of the furcation assembly 110. The transition cavity 130is defined between the first end portion 122 and the second end portion124. The transition cavity 130 is defined by the wall 126 and the sides128 of the main body 120. The transition cavity 130 extends between afirst end 132 and a second end 134. The transition cavity 130 may have afunnel shape 136 that becomes wider when moving from the first endportion 122 to the second end portion 124. The transition cavity 130 mayhave a constriction/shoulder 138, as illustrated at FIG. 7 .

As illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 7 , the second end portion 124 may includea plurality of protrusions 140 that extend from the wall 126. Inparticular, the protrusions 140 may extend between a base end 142 and afree end 144. As illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 5 , portions of the sides128 of the main body 120 may form protrusions 140 s. As illustrated atFIG. 7 , the protrusions 140 may be identified by location withsubscripts N and M. In particular, an array of protrusions 140 ₁₋₁ to140 ₂₋₅ is illustrated protruding from the wall 126 at the second endportion 124 of the main body 120. As illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 5 , theprotrusions 140 s are labeled 140 o and 1406.

As illustrated at FIG. 7 , the protrusions 140 and 140 s form aplurality of longitudinal channels 146. The longitudinal channels 146may be identified by subscripts. In particular, a location of thelongitudinal channel may be specified by the subscript. In the depictedembodiment, the six longitudinal channels 146 ₁ to 146 ₆ are formedbetween the protrusions 140 and 140 s. The longitudinal channels 146 areoriented along the axial direction Al. The longitudinal channels 146open to the second opening 118 of the housing 110 and also open to thetransition cavity 130. The protrusions 140 s and 140 may include aplurality of ribs 92. The ribs 92 are depicted as occurring in opposingpairs across the longitudinal channels 146. The ribs 92 are depictedextending in the transverse direction T1. The opposing ribs 92 mayengage the furcation tubes 40, positioned within the longitudinalchannels 146. The ribs 92 may further interface with the glue 90 andthereby aid in securing the furcation tubes 40 to the housing 110.

As illustrated at FIG. 7 , a lateral channel 148 is positioned betweenthe first row of protrusions 140 ₁₋₁ to 140 ₁₋₅ and the second row ofprotrusions 140 ₂₋₁ to 140 ₂₋₅. As illustrated at FIG. 54 , glue 90 maybe applied to the lateral channel 148. The lateral channel 148 extendsalong the lateral direction L1.

The cover 150 will now be described in additional detail. The cover 150includes a first end portion 152 and a second end portion 154. The cover150 defines a wall 156 and a pair of opposing sides 158 that extendperpendicularly from the wall 156. As depicted, the cover 150 securesthe anchor 700 within the housing 110. In particular, the anchor 700 maybe assembled into the drop-in channel 160 of the main body 120. Asillustrated at FIG. 3 , a pair of opposing protrusions 162 may furtherdefine the drop-in channel 160. Upon positioning the anchor 700 withinthe drop-in channel 160, the cover 150 may be positioned over the mainbody 120 and latched to the main body 120 thereby trapping the anchor700 within the drop-in channel 160.

A spacer 800 may be used to take up excess room in the transversedirection T1 within the longitudinal channels 146 and the lateralchannel 148. The spacer 800 allows one or more rows of the furcationtubes 40 to be removed without creating excess clearance within thelongitudinal channels 146 and/or the lateral channel 148. The spacer 800extends from a first side 802 to a second side 804 and thereby defines athickness of the spacer 800. The spacer 800 further extends between afirst edge 806 and a second edge 808. The spacer 800 further extendsbetween a third edge 810 and a fourth edge 812. A plurality of slots 840are defined in the spacer 800. The plurality of slots 840 is adapted toreceive the plurality of protrusions 140 of the main body 120. Thespacers 800 may further have reliefs 840 s along the third edge 810 andthe fourth edge 812. These reliefs 840 s are adapted to accommodate theprotrusions 140 s. As illustrated at FIG. 9 , the slots 840 and thereliefs 840 s may be identified in location by subscripts. Inparticular, the spacer 800 ₁ includes two rows and five columns of theslots 840 and includes one row and two columns of the reliefs 840 s. Theslots 840 ₁₋₁ to 840 ₂₋₅ correspond to similarly subscripted protrusions140. Likewise, the reliefs 840 s ₁₋₀ to 840 s ₁₋₆ correspond to theprotrusions 140 s.

Turning now to FIGS. 16-25 , the furcation assembly 200 will bedescribed in additional detail. As the furcation assembly 200 sharescertain features with the furcation assembly 100, the redundant featuresmay not necessarily be redundantly described. Where possible, thesubscripting conventions, used in identifying components and features ofthe furcation assembly 100, will be retained for components and featuresof the furcation assembly 200. Where possible and when convenient, thelast two digits of component and features of the furcation assembly 200correspond with the last two digits of features and components of thefurcation assembly 100.

As with the furcation assembly 100, the furcation assembly 200 extendsfrom the first end 202 to the second end 204. Likewise, the furcationassembly 200 extends between a first side 206 and a second side 207.Likewise, the furcation assembly 200 extends between a third side 208and a fourth side 209. The housing 210 of the furcation assembly 200extends between the first end 212 and a second end 214. A first opening216 is included at the first end 212 of the housing. A second opening218 is included at the second end 214 of the housing 210.

The main body 220 of the housing 210 includes a first end portion 222and a second end portion 224. A transition cavity 230 is positionedbetween the first end portion 222 and the second end portion 224. Aswith the wall 126 and the pair of sides 128 of the main body 120, themain body 220 also includes a wall 226 and a pair of opposing sides 228.As with the transition cavity 130, the transition cavity 230 extendsbetween a first end 232 and a second end 234. A funnel 236 may bedefined between the first end 232 and the second end 234. Aconstriction/shoulder 238 may also be defined within the main body 220.

As illustrated at FIG. 22 , the main body 220 includes a plurality ofprotrusions 240. An additional row of protrusions 240 is provided in themain body 220 in comparison with the main body 120. As three rows of theprotrusions 240 are provided, two lateral channels 248 are defined. Asillustrated at FIG. 21 , strength members 60B₂ extend into the lateralchannel 248 ₁. As illustrated at FIG. 54 , glue 90 may be applied withinthe lateral channel 248 ₁ and thereby join the strength members 60B₂ tothe main body 220. The glue 90 in the lateral channel 248 ₁ may furtherbond furcation tubes 40, which extend through the lateral channel 248 ₁.The glue 90 can further be applied within the lateral channel 248 ₂. Asillustrated at FIG. 21 , the jackets 50 extend through the lateralchannel 248 ₂. The glue 90 may thereby hold the plurality of jackets 50₂ to the main body 220. As with the protrusions 140, the protrusions 240extend from a base end 242 to a free end 244.

Longitudinal channels 246 are similarly formed between the protrusions240, 240 s. However, the longitudinal channels 246 of the main body 220locate and hold and may further bond to the plurality of furcation tubes40 and the plurality of the jackets 50. In addition, the furcationassembly 200 includes the strength members 60B₂ that may further connectthe furcation portion to the housing 210 of the furcation assembly 200.

A drop-in channel 260 of the main body 220 is similar to the drop-inchannel 160 of the main body 120. However, as illustrated at FIG. 18 ,the main body 220 includes a pair of opposing latches 264 that furtheraids in retaining the anchor 700 within the drop-in channel 260.

The housing 210 of the furcation assembly 200 includes a cover 250.Unlike the cover 150 of the furcation assembly 100, the cover 250 of thefurcation assembly 200 installs on the main body 220 along the axialdirection A2. The cover 250 includes a first end portion 252 and asecond end portion 254. The cover 250 includes a wall 256 with a pair ofopposing sides 258 that extend perpendicularly from the wall 256. Thecover 250 includes a pair of cover to main body engagement features 96that attach to the main body 220 when the cover 250 is slid into themain body 220 along the axial direction A2.

Turning now to FIGS. 48-55 , the furcation assembly 500 will now bedescribed in detail. As the furcation assembly 500 shares certainfeatures with the furcation assemblies 100 and 200, the redundantfeatures may not necessarily be redundantly described. Where possible,the subscripting conventions, used in identifying components andfeatures of the furcation assemblies 100 and 200, will be retained forcomponents and features of the furcation assembly 500. Where possibleand when convenient, the last two digits of component and features ofthe furcation assembly 500 correspond with the last two digits offeatures and components of the furcation assemblies 100 and 200.

Similar to the furcation assemblies 100, 200, the furcation assembly 500extends between the first end 502 and the second end 504. The furcationassembly 500 further extends between a first side 506 and a second side507. The furcation assembly 500 further extends between a third side 508and a fourth side 509. The furcation assembly 500 includes a housing 510that extends between a first end 512 and a second end 514. The housing510 includes a first opening 516 at the first end 512 and a secondopening 518 at the second end 514. The housing 510 includes a main body520 and a cover 550. The main body 520 includes a first end portion 522and a second end portion 524. The main body 520 defines a wall 526 and apair of opposite sides 528 that extend perpendicularly from the wall528. Similar to the main bodies 120, 220, the main body 520 defines atransition cavity 530 between the first end portion 522 and the secondend portion 524. The transition cavity 530 extends between a first end532 and a second end 534. The transition cavity 530 defines a funnel536. The main body 520 may define a constriction/shoulder 538. As withthe main body 220 defining a plurality of protrusions 240, the main body520 defines a plurality of protrusion 540. The main body 520 similarlydefines a plurality of protrusions 540 s, similar to the protrusions 240s. The main body 520 includes two additional columns of protrusions 540.As with the protrusions 240, the protrusions 540 extend between a baseend 542 and a free end 544 and define a plurality of longitudinalchannels 546. In particular, eight longitudinal channels 546 are definedby the plurality of protrusions 540, 540 s. Similar to the main body 220defining a plurality of lateral channels 248, the main body 520 definesa plurality of lateral channels 548.

The cover 550 is similar to the cover 250. The cover 550 includes afirst end portion 552 and a second end portion 554. The cover 550defines a wall 556 and a pair of opposing sides 558 that extendperpendicularly away from the wall 556.

The main body 520 defines a drop-in channel 560 similar to the drop-inchannel 160 of the main body 120. The drop-in channel 560 includes aplurality of catches 566 adapted to engage the anchor 700.

Turning now to FIGS. 26-32 , the furcation assembly 300 will bedescribed in additional detail. The furcation assembly 300 extendsbetween the first end 302 and the second end 304. The furcation assembly300 further extends between a first side 306 and a second side 307. Thefurcation assembly 300 further extends between a third side 308 and afourth side 309. The furcation assembly 300 includes a housing 310. Thehousing 310 extends between a first end 312 and a second end 314. Thehousing 310 includes a first opening 316 at the first end 312 and asecond opening 318 at the second end 314. The housing 310 includes amain body 320 and a cover 350. As illustrated at FIG. 27 , the cover 350is installed on the main body 320 by sliding the cover 350 in the axialdirection A3.

The main body 320 extends between a first end portion 322 and a secondend portion 324. The main body 320 defines a wall 326 with a pair ofopposing sides 328 projecting perpendicularly away from the wall 326.The main body 320 defines a transition cavity 330 positioned between thefirst end portion 322 and a second end portion 324. The transitioncavity 330 extends between a first end 322 and a second end 334. Thetransition cavity 330 defines a funnel shape 336. The funnel shape 336may widen as the cavity extends from the first end 332 toward the secondend 334. The main body 320 may define a constriction/shoulder 338.

As depicted at FIG. 30 , the second end portion 324 of the main body 320defines a plurality of ports 340. As depicted, four of the ports 340 ₁through 340 ₄ are defined in the main body 320. The ports are adapted toreceive the anchor 700 and retain the anchor 700 when the anchor 700 isinserted through the ports 340.

The cover 350 includes a first end portion 352 and a second end portion354. The cover defines a wall 356 and a plurality of opposing sides 358that extend perpendicular away from the wall 356.

Turning now to FIGS. 33-39 and 47 , the furcation assembly 400 will bedescribed in additional detail. The furcation assembly 400 is similar tothe furcation assembly 300, except the furcation assembly 400 includesonly two of the ports 440. As depicted at FIG. 33 , one of the ports 440has an anchor 700 installed while the other port 440 has a plug 750installed. In other configurations, the anchor 700 is installed in bothof the ports 440. A difference between the furcation assembly 400 andthe furcation assembly 300 is that the furcation assembly 400 includes adrop-in channel 460 similar to the drop-in channel 260 of the main body200. The drop-in channel 460 includes a pair of protrusions 462 and apair of latches 464 to retain the anchor 700 within the drop-in channel460.

The furcation assembly 400 extends between a first end 402 and a secondend 404. The furcation assembly 400 further extends between a first side406 and a second side 407. The furcation assembly 400 further extendsbetween a third side 408 and a fourth side 409. A housing 410 of thefurcation assembly 400 includes a first end 412 and a second end 414. Afirst opening 416 extends through the first end 412. A second opening418 extends through the second end 414.

A main body 420 includes a first end portion 422 and a second endportion 424. The main body 420 includes a wall 426 and a pair ofopposing sides 428 that extend perpendicularly away from the wall 426.The main body 420 includes a transition cavity 430 that extends betweena first end 432 and a second end 434. The transition cavity 430 may notnecessarily include a funnel as the main body 420 is narrow because thesecond end portion 424 only includes a pair of the ports 440. The mainbody 420 may include a constriction/shoulder 438.

The housing 410 includes a cover 450. The cover 450 is similar to thecover 350. The cover 450 includes a first end portion 452 and a secondend portion 454. The cover 450 defines a wall 456 and a pair of opposingsides 458 that extend perpendicularly from the wall 456.

Turning now to FIGS. 56-64 , the furcation assembly 600 will bedescribed in detail. The furcation assembly 600 extends between a firstend 602 and a second end 604. The furcation assembly 600 extends betweena first side 606 and a second side 607. The furcation assembly 600further extends between a third side 608 and a fourth side 609. Thefurcation assembly 600 includes a housing 610. The housing 610 includesa main body 620 and a cover 650. The housing 610 includes a first end612 and a second end 614. The first opening 616 extends through thefirst end 612 and a second opening 618 extends through the second end614. The main body 620 includes a first end portion 622 and a second endportion 624. The main body 620 defines a wall 626 and a pair of opposedsides 628 that extend perpendicularly away from the wall 626. The mainbody 620 defines the transition cavity 630. The transition cavity 630extends between a first end 622 and a second end 634. The transitioncavity 630 defines a funnel shape 630 that becomes wider as thetransition cavity 630 approaches the second end 634. The main body 620may define a construction/shoulder 638.

The second end portion 624 of the main body 620 defines a plurality ofports 640. Individual ports 640 _(N-M) are arranged in N rows and Mcolumns. In the example embodiment of the furcation assembly 600, thereare three rows and four columns of the ports 640. The ports 640 areadapted to receive the anchor 700 and retain the anchor 700 to the mainbody 620. The main body 620 defines a drop-in channel 660 at the firstend portion 622 of the main body 620. The drop-in channel 660 mayinclude a nut receiver 668 and thereby rotationally orient the housing610 with respect to the jacket 306.

The cover 610 includes a first end portion 652 and a second end portion654. The cover 650 may define a wall 656 and a plurality of opposingsides 658 extends perpendicularly away from the wall 656. A pair ofopposed cover to main body engagement members 96 may secure the cover650 to the main body 620.

Turning now to FIGS. 23 and 40-43 , the anchor 700 will be described indetail. The anchor 700 extends between the first end 702 and a secondend 704. The anchor 700 includes a pair of opposing sides 706. Theanchor 700 includes the cable engaging portion 710. The cable engagingportion 710 includes a first end 712 and a second end 714. The cableengaging portion 710 further includes an exterior 716 and an interiorpassage 718. The anchor 700 includes a flange 720. The flange 720includes a cylindrical portion 726 and extends between a first end 722and a second end 724. The anchor 700 includes a latch 730. The latchextends between a first end 732 and a second end 734. The latch 730includes a pair of cantilevered arms 736. The cantilevered arms 736include free ends 738 with latching elements 740. The latching elements740 include ramps 742 that allow the anchor 700 to be pushed into theports 340, 440, 640 and thereby bend the opposing cantilevered arms 736toward each other as the latching elements 740 pass through the port340, 440, 640. As the latching elements 740 pass within the ports 340,440, 640, the latching elements 740 move outwardly and engage thecatches. The anchor 700 may include a circular relief 744 to provideeasy access to the interior passage 718.

Example materials and specifications that may be used in theimplementation of the furcation assemblies 1000 will now be mentioned.The optical fiber 10 may include 250 μm optical fiber and/or bendinsensitive optical fiber. The optical fiber 10 may be coated. Theoptical fiber 10 may be made of glass.

Cable structures (i.e., portions of optical fibers 10 surrounded by ajacket 30, 50) may be micro-tube cable structures. Micro-tube cablestructures may include a jacket 30, 50 with tubular sub-units (i.e.,micro-tubes 20). The micro-tubes 20 allow the optical fibers 10 to movefree within the micro-tubes 20.

The strength members 60, 60A, 60B of the furcation assemblies 1000 mayinclude aramid yarn (e.g., DuPont™ Kevlar®). The strength members 60,60A, 60B of the furcation assemblies 1000 may include a single strand(as shown), a plurality of strands, and/or a woven, wound, or othergrouping of strands. The strength members 60, 60A, 60B of the furcationassemblies 1000 may surround the optical fiber(s) 10.

The strain relief members 70A, 70B of the furcation assemblies 1000 mayinclude certain boots suitable for MPO connectors and spring pushes ofsuch MPO connectors. For example, the strain relief members 70A, 70B maybe defined by drawing number C8041, BOOT, ROUND, BLACK, MTP®, drawingnumber C12165, BOOT, ROUND, MTP®, 3.6 mm, and/or related drawingspublished by USCONEC of Hickory, NC, USA. The strain relief member 70A₆may include Item Code 467368 and/or Item Code 467380, Cable Glands,Spiral—PG13.5, sold by Essentra Components of Kidlington, Oxon, UnitedKingdom, and/or related items.

The crimp sleeve 80 of the furcation assemblies 1000 may be an MTP®crimp band. For example, the crimp sleeve 80 may be defined by drawingnumber C8043, CRIMP BAND, ROUND, MTP, drawing number C12166, CRIMP BAND,ROUND, MTP®, 3.4-3.8 mm CABLES, and/or related drawings published byUSCONEC of Hickory, N.C., USA.

The glue 90 (i.e., adhesive) of the furcation assemblies 1000 mayinclude cyanoacrylate (e.g., super glue). The glue 90 of the furcationassemblies 1000 may include anaerobic adhesive. The glue 90 of thefurcation assemblies 1000 may include Loctite.

The anchor 700 of the furcation assemblies 1000 may be an MTP® springpush. For example, the anchor 700 may be defined by drawing numberC13527, SPRING PUSH, ROUND, MTP®, HFC, 3.0 mm CABLE, drawing numberC13245, SPRING PUSH, ROUND, MTP®, HFC, 3.6 mm CABLE, and/or relateddrawings published by USCONEC of Hickory, N.C.

The furcation assembly 100 may include twelve optical fibers 10,twenty-four optical fibers 10, or other quantities of optical fibers 10.The furcation assembly 100 may therefore include twelve furcation tubes40 ₁₋₁ to 40 ₂₋₆, twenty-four furcation tubes 40 ₁₄ to 40 ₄₋₆, or otherquantities of furcation tubes 40 ₁. The furcation tubes 40 may have anoutside diameter of 900 μm. For the furcation assembly 100 with twelvefurcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 ₂₋₆, the cable jacket 30 ₁ may have anoutside diameter of 3.2 millimeters. For the furcation assembly 100 withtwenty-four furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 ₄₋₆, the cable jacket 30 ₁ mayhave an outside diameter of 3.8 millimeters. The cable jacket 30 ₁ maybe available in different colors. The furcation tubes 40 may beavailable in different colors (e.g., twelve different colors). The cover150 may assemble to the main body 120 of the housing 110 in a directionparallel or substantially parallel to the transverse direction T1. Forthe furcation assembly 100 with twelve furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 ₂₋₆,two of the spacers 800 ₁ may be used to replace two of the rows of thefurcation tubes 40 in the housing 110.

The furcation assembly 200 may include twelve optical fibers 10,twenty-four optical fibers 10, or other quantities of optical fibers 10.The furcation assembly 200 may therefore include twelve furcation tubes40 ₁₋₁ to 40 ₂₋ 6, twenty-four furcation tubes 40 ₁₄ to 40 ₄₋₆, or otherquantities of furcation tubes 40 ₂. The furcation assembly 200 maytherefore also include twelve jackets 50 ₂, twenty-four jackets 50 ₂, orother quantities of jackets 50. The jackets (i.e., furcation tubes) 50 ₂may have an outside diameter of 1.8 millimeters. For the furcationassembly 200 with twelve furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 ₂₋₆, the cablejacket 30 ₂ may have an outside diameter of 3.2 millimeters. For thefurcation assembly 200 with twenty-four furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40₄₋₆, the cable jacket 30 ₂ may have an outside diameter of 3.8millimeters. The cable jacket 30 ₂ may be available in different colors.The furcation tubes 40 may be available in different colors (e.g.,twelve different colors). The jackets 50 ₂ may be available in differentcolors. The cover 250 may assemble to the main body 220 of the housing210 in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the axialdirection A2. For the furcation assembly 200 with twelve furcation tubes40 ₁₋₁ to 40 ₂₋₆ and twelve of the jackets 50 ₂, two of the spacers 800₂ may be used to replace two of the rows of the furcation tubes 40 inthe housing 210.

The furcation assembly 300 may include forty-eight optical fibers 10,ninety-six optical fibers 10, or other quantities of optical fibers 10.The furcation assembly 300 may include four furcation tubes 20 ₃ orother quantities of furcation tubes 20 ₃. The furcation tubes 20 ₃ mayeach extend through the housing 310 continuously and uninterrupted. Thefurcation tubes 20 ₃ may each extend between the first end 302 and thesecond end 304 of the furcation assembly 300 continuously anduninterrupted. The furcation tubes 20 ₃ may each carry twelve opticalfibers 10, for furcation assemblies 300 that include forty-eight opticalfibers 10. The furcation tubes 20 ₃ may each carry twenty-four opticalfibers 10, for furcation assemblies 300 that include ninety-six opticalfibers 10. The furcation assembly 300 may therefore also include fourjackets 50 ₃ or other quantities of jackets 50. The jackets (i.e.,furcation tubes) 50 ₃ may have an outside diameter of 3.2 millimetersfor furcation assemblies 300 that include forty-eight optical fibers 10.The jackets 50 ₃ may have an outside diameter of 3.8 millimeters forfurcation assemblies 300 that include ninety-six optical fibers 10. Thejackets 50 ₃ may each carry one of the furcation tubes 20 ₃ and strengthmember(s) 60B₃. The jacket 30 ₃ may have an outside diameter of 5.0millimeters for furcation assemblies 300 that include forty-eightoptical fibers 10. The jacket 30 ₃ may have an outside diameter of 6.8millimeters for furcation assemblies 300 that include ninety-six opticalfibers 10. The jacket 30 ₃ may carry four of the furcation tubes 20 ₃and strength member(s) 60A₃. The cable jacket 30 ₃ may be available indifferent colors. The jackets 50 ₃ may be available in different colors.The cover 350 may assemble to the main body 320 of the housing 310 in adirection parallel or substantially parallel to the axial direction A3.

The furcation assembly 400 may include twelve optical fibers 10 (1×12),twenty-four optical fibers 10 (2×12 or 1×24), forty-eight optical fibers10 (2×24), or other quantities of optical fibers 10. The furcationassembly 400 may include one furcation tube 20 ₄ (1×12 or 1×24), twofurcation tubes 20 ₄ (2×12 or 2×24), or other quantities of furcationtubes 20 ₄. The furcation tubes 20 ₄ may each extend through the housing410 continuously and uninterrupted. The furcation tubes 20 ₄ may eachextend between the first end 402 and the second end 404 of the furcationassembly 400 continuously and uninterrupted. The single furcation tube20 ₄ may carry twelve optical fibers 10 (1×12), for furcation assemblies400 that include twelve optical fibers 10. The single furcation tube 20₄ may carry twenty-four optical fibers 10 (1×24), for furcationassemblies 400 that include twenty-four optical fibers 10. The furcationtubes 20 ₄ may each carry twelve optical fibers 10 (2×12), for furcationassemblies 400 that include twenty-four optical fibers 10. The furcationtubes 20 ₄ may each carry twenty-four optical fibers 10 (2×24), forfurcation assemblies 400 that include forty-eight optical fibers 10. Thefurcation assembly 400 may therefore also include one jacket 50 ₄ (1×12or 1×24) or two jackets 50 ₄ (2×12 or 2×24). The jackets (i.e.,furcation tubes) 50 ₄ may have an outside diameter of 3.2 millimetersfor furcation assemblies 400 that include twelve optical fibers 10(1×12). The jackets (i.e., furcation tubes) 50 ₄ may have an outsidediameter of 3.2 millimeters for furcation assemblies 400 that includetwenty-four optical fibers 10 (2×12). The jackets 50 ₄ may have anoutside diameter of 3.8 millimeters for furcation assemblies 400 thatinclude twenty-four optical fibers 10 (1×24). The jackets 50 ₄ may havean outside diameter of 3.8 millimeters for furcation assemblies 400 thatinclude forty-eight optical fibers 10 (2×24). The jackets 50 ₄ may eachcarry one of the furcation tubes 20 ₄ and strength member(s) 60B₄. Thejacket 30 ₄ may have an outside diameter of 3.2 millimeters forfurcation assemblies 400 that include twelve optical fibers 10 (1×12).The jacket 30 ₄ may have an outside diameter of 3.8 millimeters forfurcation assemblies 400 that include twenty-four optical fibers 10(2×12 or 1×24). The jacket 30 ₄ may have an outside diameter of 5.0millimeters for furcation assemblies 400 that include forty-eightoptical fibers 10 (2×24). The jacket 30 ₄ may carry one or two of thefurcation tubes 20 ₄ and strength member(s) 60A₄. The cable jacket 30 ₄may be available in different colors. The jackets 50 ₄ may be availablein different colors. The cover 450 may assemble to the main body 420 ofthe housing 410 in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to theaxial direction A4.

The furcation assembly 500 may include forty-eight optical fibers 10 orother quantities of optical fibers 10. The furcation assembly 500 maytherefore include forty-eight furcation tubes 40 ₁₋₁ to 40 ₆-₈ or otherquantities of furcation tubes 40 ₅. The furcation assembly 500 maytherefore also include forty-eight jackets 50 ₅ or other quantities ofjackets 50. The jackets (i.e., furcation tubes) 50 ₅ may have an outsidediameter of 1.8 millimeter. The cable jacket 30 ₅ may carry twofurcation tubes 20 ₅. The furcation tubes 20 ₅ may each carrytwenty-four optical fibers 10. The cable jacket 30 ₅ may have an outsidediameter of 5.0 millimeters. The cable jacket 30 ₅ may be available indifferent colors. The furcation tubes 40 may be available in differentcolors. The jackets 50 ₅ may be available in different colors. The cover550 may assemble to the main body 520 of the housing 510 in a directionparallel or substantially parallel to the axial direction A5.

The furcation assembly 600 may include 144 optical fibers 10 (12×12),192 optical fibers 10 (8×24), 288 optical fibers 10 (12×24), or otherquantities of optical fibers 10. The furcation assembly 600 may includeeight furcation tubes 206, twelve furcation tubes 206, or otherquantities of furcation tubes 206. The furcation tubes 206 may eachextend through the housing 610 continuously and uninterrupted. Thefurcation tubes 206 may each extend between the first end 602 and thesecond end 604 of the furcation assembly 600 continuously anduninterrupted. The furcation tubes 206 may each carry twelve opticalfibers 10 (12×12), for furcation assemblies 600 that include 144 opticalfibers 10. The furcation tubes 206 may each carry twenty-four opticalfibers 10 (8×24), for furcation assemblies 600 that include 192 opticalfibers 10. The furcation tubes 206 may each carry twenty-four opticalfibers 10 (12×24), for furcation assemblies 600 that include 288 opticalfibers 10. The furcation assembly 600 may therefore also include eightor twelve jackets 506 or other quantities of jackets 50. The jackets(i.e., furcation tubes) 50 ₆ may have an outside diameter of 3.2millimeters for furcation assemblies 600 that include one hundredforty-four optical fibers 10. The jackets 50 ₆ may have an outsidediameter of 3.8 millimeters for furcation assemblies 600 that includeone hundred ninety-two or two hundred eighty-eight optical fibers 10.The jackets 506 may each carry one of the furcation tubes 206 andstrength member(s) 60B6. The jacket 306 may have an outside diameter of6.8 millimeters for furcation assemblies 600 that include one hundredforty-four optical fibers 10. The jacket 306 may have an outsidediameter of 9.1 millimeters for furcation assemblies 600 that includeone hundred ninety-two optical fibers 10. The jacket 306 may have anoutside diameter of 10.9 millimeters for furcation assemblies 600 thatinclude two hundred eighty-eight optical fibers 10. The jacket 306 maycarry eight or twelve of the furcation tubes 206 and strength member(s)60A₆. The cable jacket 306 may be available in different colors. Thejackets 506 may be available in different colors. The cover 650 mayassemble to the main body 620 of the housing 610 in a direction parallelor substantially parallel to the axial direction A6.

The above examples are described with specific characteristics andfeatures. Other furcation assemblies may include characteristics and/orfeatures that vary from the above listed characteristics and features.The above examples are described with specific combinations ofcharacteristics and features. Other furcation assemblies may includecombinations of characteristics and/or features that vary from the abovelisted combinations. Each of the features and characteristics areseparately useable in a cable furcation assembly (i.e., a cable breakoutassembly).

From the forgoing detailed description, it will be evident thatmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic furcation assembly comprising: ahousing extending between a first end and a second end along a centralaxis, the first end including a first opening and the second endincluding at least a second opening, the housing including a first pieceand a second piece that attach to each other and thereby define a cavitybetween the first piece and the second piece, the cavity including atransition portion and a securing portion, the first piece of thehousing including a plurality of protrusions extending into the securingportion of the cavity, the plurality of protrusions defining a pluralityof locating channels extending substantially parallel to the centralaxis and a first securing channel intersecting the plurality of locatingchannels; a cable mount extending between a first end and a second end,the cable mount including a housing attachment, a cable attachment, anda passage, the housing attachment mounted within the first opening ofthe housing; a main fiber optic cable structure including a plurality ofoptical fibers and a main jacket surrounding a collectively jacketedportion of the plurality of optical fibers, the main fiber optic cablestructure secured to the cable attachment of the cable mount; aplurality of furcation tubes each with an end positioned within thecavity of the housing, the plurality of furcation tubes each positionedin a respective one of the plurality of locating channels, and theplurality of furcation tubes extending through the second end of thehousing; and bonding material positioned within the first securingchannel, the bonding material bonding an exterior portion of at leastsome of the plurality of furcation tubes to a portion of at least someof the plurality of protrusions; wherein the plurality of optical fiberseach extends through an end portion of the main jacket of the main fiberoptic cable structure, the passage of the cable mount, the transitionportion of the cavity of the housing, the securing portion of the cavityof the housing, and a respective one of the plurality of furcationtubes.
 2. The fiber optic furcation assembly of claim 1, wherein thefirst piece and the second piece attach to each other with a relativeaxial movement substantially parallel to the central axis of thehousing.
 3. The fiber optic furcation assembly of claim 1, wherein thefirst piece and the second piece attach to each other with a relativetransverse movement substantially perpendicular to the central axis ofthe housing.
 4. The fiber optic furcation assembly of claim 1, whereinthe first piece is a base piece and the second piece is a cover.
 5. Thefiber optic furcation assembly of claim 1, wherein the main fiber opticcable structure includes at least one micro-tube within the main jacketand the at least one micro-tube surrounds a group of the plurality ofoptical fibers.
 6. The fiber optic furcation assembly of claim 1,wherein the plurality of protrusions further define a second securingchannel intersecting the plurality of locating channels.
 7. The fiberoptic furcation assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end of thehousing includes a plurality of ports.
 8. The fiber optic furcationassembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of jacket mountseach extending between a first end and a second end, each of the jacketmounts including a housing attachment, a jacket attachment, and apassage, the first end of the housing attachment mounted within arespective one of the ports of the housing.
 9. The fiber optic furcationassembly of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of furcated jacketseach respectively secured to the jacket attachment of the jacket mounts.10. The fiber optic furcation assembly of claim 7, further comprising atleast one plug mounted within a respective one of the ports of thehousing.
 11. The fiber optic furcation assembly of claim 7, wherein theplurality of furcation tubes are each positioned in a respective one theports of the second end of the housing.
 12. A fiber optic furcationassembly comprising: a housing extending between a first end and asecond end along a central axis, the first end including an opening andthe second end including a plurality of ports, the housing including afirst piece and a second piece that attach to each other and therebydefine a cavity between the first piece and the second piece, the cavityincluding a transition portion; a plurality of jacket mounts eachextending between a first end and a second end, each of the jacketmounts including a housing attachment, a jacket attachment, and apassage, the first end of the housing attachment mounted within arespective one of the ports of the housing; and a main fiber optic cablestructure including a main jacket surrounding a collectively jacketedportion of a plurality of furcation tubes surrounding a plurality ofoptical fibers, the main fiber optic cable structure secured adjacentthe opening of the housing; wherein the plurality of furcation tubeseach respectively continuously extends through the main jacket, thecavity of the housing, and respective ones of the ports and theplurality of cable mounts.
 13. The fiber optic furcation assembly ofclaim 12, further comprising a plurality of furcated jackets eachrespectively secured to the jacket attachment of the jacket mounts. 14.The fiber optic furcation assembly of claim 12, further comprising atleast one plug mounted within a respective one of the ports of thehousing.
 15. A method of assembling a fiber optic furcation assembly,the method comprising: providing a housing including a first piece and asecond piece spaced away from each other; sub-assembling a sub-assemblyincluding a plurality of optical fibers, a main fiber optic cablestructure, a cable mount, and a plurality of furcation tubes; droppingthe sub-assembly into the first piece of the housing; and mounting thesecond piece of the housing onto the first piece of the housing.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the mounting of the second piece of thehousing onto the first piece of the housing includes moving the secondpiece of the housing parallel to a central longitudinal axis of thefirst piece of the housing.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein themounting of the second piece of the housing onto the first piece of thehousing includes moving the second piece of the housing perpendicular toa central longitudinal axis of the first piece of the housing.